Interactive pressure support system and method

ABSTRACT

An interactive pressure support system and method employing a pressure generating system that provides a pressure therapy to the pulmonary system of a patient and an interactive system associated with the pressure generating system to enable the patient to interact with the pressure support system, for example, to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment provided by the pressure support system. The interactive system includes an output device that provides first information to the patient, an input device that allows the patient to provide second information that is based on the first information and a control unit that controls the operation of the output device to present the first information and collection of the second information via the input device. In a further embodiment, the operation of the pressure generating system is controlled based on the second information provided by the patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as aContinuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/399,023 filed Sep.20, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,797, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/102,468filed Sep. 30, 1998 the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to an interactive pressure support systemand to a method of treating a breathing disorder using same, and, inparticular, to a system that provides a pressure therapy to a patientwhile also providing an interactive capability so that the patient cananswer questions or perform tasks that ascertain the effectiveness ofthe pressure therapy in treating the patient's breathing disorder.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are many medical ailments that are diagnosed and/or monitoredusing a questionnaire, survey, or cognitive test taken by the patient.For example, a common method to determine whether a patient suffers froma sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is to measurethe patient's sleep propensity. The patient's sleep propensity and/orchanges in the sleep propensity can also be used to determine theseverity of the disorder and/or monitor the changes in the patient'scondition. Conventional techniques for measuring a patient's sleeppropensity include the use of the Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS), theFunctional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) and the Berlinquestionnaire. The ESS is determined based on the patient'sretrospective reports of dozing behavior in a variety of situationscommonly encountered in normal daily life. These retrospective reportsare elucidated from the patient via a series of questions. The patient'sresponses to these questions are tabulated and used to determine the ESSto evaluate his or her sleep propensity.

Currently, the Epworth Test and FOSQ are typically administered onpaper. To do so, the written test must be physically supplied to thepatient and collected after the patient completes the questions. Thetest administrator manually tabulates (or uses a computer to tabulate)the responses provided by the patient and calculates the ESS or otherscore based on the patient's responses. It can be appreciated that theadministrative requirements, such as the distribution, collection, timestamping, tabulation, scoring, storing and record keeping, required bythis conventional testing technique place a significant burden on thetest givers. This burden increases with the number of patient's takingthe test as well as the number of times the test is administered to eachpatient. Typically the same patient will take the Epworth test multipletimes during his or her treatment in order to monitor the effectivenessof the treatment therapy. It can thus be appreciated that patientfollow-up to determine, for example, the effectiveness of a therapyintended to treat a sleep or breathing disorder, is a relativelyexpensive and burdensome process.

Another conventional technique that measures a patient's reaction timeand cognitive alertness, which are generally understood to be indicativeof a patient's sleep propensity, is the Vigilance test. This test istypically administered using a personal computer (PC) and requires thatthe patient provide responses via the input devices associated with thePC to displayed indica. The patient's reaction time in providing theresponse and/or the accuracy of the response to the displayed indica aremeasured and stored to determine the patient's level of alertness. Forexample, the patient is shown a recognizable object on the PC display,and the patient's reaction time in identifying the object and theaccuracy of the identification are measured.

Because this test typically requires a PC to administer, it can only beadministered at a facility where an appropriately programmed PC islocated, which requires that the patient travel to a place where such aPC is located. Alternatively, an appropriately programmed PC can beprovided to the patient. However, this latter alternative represents asignificant cost in furnishing the PC to the patient and requirestraining the patient on the use of such a relatively complicated device.It can thus be appreciated that either alternative for administering theVigilance test represents a significant burden on either the patient orthe test administrator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice and method for providing a pressure support treatment and foradministering a questionnaire or cognitive test to a patient thatovercomes the shortcomings of conventional techniques. This object isachieved, according to one embodiment of the present invention, byproviding an interactive pressure support system that includes apressure generating system adapted to provide a pressure therapy to apulmonary system of a patient and an interactive system associated withthe pressure generating system. The interactive system includes anoutput device that provides information, such as questions or symbols,to the patient and an input device that receives information from thepatient, such as responses to the questions or reactions to the symbolspresented. The interactive system also includes a control unit thatcontrols the operation of the output device and the input device topresent the interrogative information to the patient properly and tocollect the responses from the patient provided via the input device.The control unit further controls the operation of the pressuregenerating system based on the response from the patient.

This single system combines the patient therapy function of the pressuresupport device with the patient evaluation function of the questionnaireor cognitive test administered by the interactive system. This dualfunction system reduces the administrative burden and costs of providingthe questionnaire or cognitive test because the test is performed usingthe same device the patient is given to treat the disorder, and thetesting procedure and results collection, calculation, storage, andcommunication functions are performed in an automated fashion using theprocessing capabilities already present in many pressure supportdevices. Furthermore, because the test is incorporated into the samedevice that the patient is given to treat the condition being monitoredby the test, the patient is likely to be motivated to perform the testcorrectly and diligently, as well as being familiar with the device usedto administer the test, thereby requiring less training to perform thetesting function than if the patient is provided with an entirelydifferent testing system.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the control unitperforms additional functions, such as tabulating the results providedby the patient and calculating scores indicative of the patient'scondition, e.g., the ESS indicative of the patient's sleep propensity.In other embodiments, a memory unit is provided that enables theinteractive pressure support system to store a number of different typesof tests and the results provided by the patient upon taking the tests,including the results from repeated tests and information identifyingthe time/date the test was administered. In yet another embodiment, acommunication unit is provided that permits communication of databetween the interactive system and a remote location so that new testdata can be provided to the interactive pressure support system and/orinformation collected by the system can be provided to the remotelocation, for example.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method oftreating and monitoring the treatment of a breathing disorder that doesnot suffer from the disadvantages of conventional techniques. Thisobject is accomplished by providing a method that includes the steps of:(1) providing a device that administers a pressure therapy to a patientand includes an interactive capability, (2) causing the device toprovide information to the patient, such as questions or symbols, (3)acquiring, via the device, information from the patient, such asresponses to the questions or reactions to the symbols presented, and(4) controlling the pressure therapy based on the response. In furtherembodiments of the present invention, the above method also includesstoring different information to provide to the patient and storing theresults provided by the patient based thereon, as well as the results ofrepeated testing of the patient. Still other embodiments include thestep of communicating with a remote location to exchange informationwith the interactive pressure support device, such as different oradditional test information to provide to the patient and the resultsprovided by the patient based thereon.

These and other objects, features and characteristics of the presentinvention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of therelated elements of structure and the combination of parts and economiesof manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interactive pressure support systemaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the interactive pressure support systemillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication network that includesthe interactive pressure support system; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the processcarried out by the interactive pressure support system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THEINVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of an interactive pressuresupport system 30 according to the principles of the present invention.Interactive pressure support system 30 includes two systems; a pressuregenerating system 32, and an interactive system 34. Pressure generatingsystem 32 provides a positive pressure therapy to a patient. Forexample, pressure generating system provides a continuous positiveairway pressure therapy (CPAP), a variable pressure therapy in which thepressure provided to the patient varies with inspiration and expiration,or a variable pressure therapy in which the pressure provided to thepatient varies as necessary to treat the patient's disorder.

In general, pressure generating system 32 includes a pressure generator36 and, if necessary, a pressure control unit 38. For the least complextype of pressure therapy, such as CPAP, pressure control unit 38 isgenerally not necessary because the pressure provided to the patientremains constant or follows a predetermined profile regardless of thecondition of the patient. For the variable pressure therapies, such as abi-level therapy, which is taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,148,802 and5,443,193 both to Sanders et al. and by U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,937 toZdrojkowski et al., the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference into the present application, proportional positive airwaypressure (PPAP), which is taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,535,738 and5,794,615 both to Estes et al., the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference into the present application, and proportionalassist ventilation (a.k.a. PAV), which is taught by U.S. Pat. Nos.5,044,362 and 5,170,830, both to Younes, the contents of which are alsohereby incorporated by reference into the present application, pressurecontrol unit 38 controls the pressure provided to the patient. Typicallypressure control unit 38 controls the pressure to the patient byregulating the pressure in a patient delivery circuit 40 that deliversthe gas to the patient via a valve or series of valves or by controllingthe output of the pressure generator, such as the speed of the blower,in a blower-based pressure generator.

The variable pressure therapy systems include a sensor (not shown) thatdetects the conditions of the patient so that the pressure provided tothe patient can be controlled based on the detected condition. Forexample, if the pressure provided to the patient varies with thepatient's breathing cycle, a sensor, such as a flow or pressure sensorassociated with breathing circuit 40, is provided to detect changes inthe breathing cycle, such as changes from inspiration to expiration andvise versa. The pressure/flow delivered to the patient is controlled bythe pressure control unit to vary depending on whether the patient isinhaling or exhaling.

If the pressure provided to the patient changes with changes necessaryto treat the patient's disorder, a sensor is used to monitor thedisorder. For example, a flow and/or pressure sensor coupled to thebreathing circuit detects aberrations in the flow of gas to and from thepatient, or a microphone or pressure sensor detects snoring, both ofwhich are generally indicative of an obstruction in the patient'sairway. The pressure control unit controls the pressure provided to thepatient based on the feedback from these sensors to provide enoughpressure to alleviate the disorder, such as the airway obstruction,while reducing the pressure once the disorder abates. U.S. Pat. Nos.5,203,343 and 5,458,137 both to Axe et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,053to Remmers et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference, are examples of pressure support systems in which thepressure provided to the patient changes with changes necessary to treatthe patient's disorder.

In the illustrated embodiment, a control unit 42 cooperates withpressure generator 36 and pressure control unit 38 to control theoperation of pressure generating system 32. According to one embodimentof the present invention, control unit 42 performs the patientmonitoring function and controls the pressure provided to the patient asdiscussed above in conjunction with pressure control unit 38. It can beappreciated, however, that control unit 42 can perform other functions,such as monitoring use of the pressure generating system (patientcompliance), running diagnostic routines and providing error/warningindications. Also, a patient interface device 44, such as a nasal mask,nasal/oral mask, total face mask, nasal cannula, trachea tube, or anyother suitable device connects the patient to breathing circuit 40.

Interactive system 34 provides an interactive capability that augmentsthe pressure therapy function of pressure generating system 32.Interactive system 34 enables the system to query the patient about hisor her condition and/or have the patient perform tasks that provide anindication of the patient's condition. In the illustrated embodiment,interactive system 34 shares a common housing 46 with pressuregenerating system 32. This provides an advantage in that the same devicethat is used to treat the patient's disorder, i.e., the devicecontaining the system that provides the pressure therapy, also can beused to administer a questionnaire or cognitive test, thereby avoidingthe need to have the patient travel to a test location or to have thetest administrator manually distribute and administer a paper test eachtime the patient is or needs to be tested. This combination also takesadvantage of the processing facilities commonly included in currentpressure support devices, thereby minimizing the cost of including orretrofitting the interactive function on current pressure supportdevices.

Interactive system 34 includes an output device 48, which, in theillustrated embodiment, is a display, and an input device 50, both ofwhich are operatively coupled to control unit 42. Display 48 is used toprovide questions, symbols, pictures, or other visible indica to theuser. Display 48 can be any suitable display device, such as an LCD orcathode ray tube. It is to be understood, however, that other outputdevices are contemplated by the present invention. For example, theoutput device can be an audio or Braille device for the visuallyimpaired, a printer, or any device that outputs information from theinteractive system in a form perceivable to the user. Input device 50 isused to provide information from the user to the control unit. Inputdevice 50 can be any suitable device, such as a keyboard, keypad, touchscreen system, audio recognition device, stylus, mouse, track ball,buttons, knobs, card reader, and/or switch, that accomplishes thisfunction. In the illustrated embodiment, a knob and keypad 50 are usedas an input device.

Control unit 42 is any suitable device that can perform the functionsdiscussed above with respect to pressure generating system 32 and theinput/output functions of interactive system 34. It is to be understood,however, that these two functions can be carried out by separate controldevices associated with the respective pressure generating andinteractive systems 32 and 34. Control unit 42 can also include asuitable amount of memory for storing information necessary to carry outthese functions, such as sufficient memory to store the indicia topresent to the user and the responses thereto.

In the illustrated embodiment, interactive system 34 also includes acommunication unit 52 and additional memory 54, both of which areoptional in that they are not necessary to carry out the interactivefunction of interactive system 34. Communication unit 52 provides theinteractive system with the capability of transmitting information toand/or receiving information from an external device. In addition,communication unit 52 allows the operating parameters of the therapydevice to be monitored, controlled, or both from an external device.Communication unit 52 is any device, such as a modem, RS-232, ISDN orother connection or data transportation system that permits informationto be provided to and output from the control unit.

Memory 54 functions as an extended memory, supplementing the memory thatis provided in control unit 42. Memory 54 can be used to store, forexample, additional tests to provide to the patient, an extended amountof results input from the patient and/or the scores associated with theresults provided by the patient. This information is downloadedperiodically, upon request via communication unit 52, or if the resultsof the tests are outside predetermined boundary criteria. For example,if the results of the test indicate that the patient's condition isworsening dramatically, the results of the test and an alarm, ifdesired, can be automatically provided by the interactive pressuresupport system to the remote location or locations.

The present invention also contemplates that the function ofcommunication unit 52 and memory 54 can be combined into a singlesystem. For example, a “smart card” that contains memory, commands, dataor any combination thereof can be provided in communication with controlunit 42. Such a card preferably inserts into a receiving port providedin the housing containing control unit 42 and allows data, such as theresults of the tests and compliance data regarding the use of thetherapy device gathered by the control unit, to be stored on the card.When desired, the card containing such data is physically removed fromthe housing and sent via mail to a management center that collects thisdata. The smart card can also be programmed with commands orinstructions that can be downloaded to control unit 42. For example, thetests administered to the patient or the operating pressure of thetherapy device, e.g., the CPAP, inspiratory positive airway pressure(IPAP), or expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), can be changed bythe supervising caregiver simply by providing suitable commands in thesmart card that change these parameters.

It can thus be appreciated that the present invention providesflexibility in the tests provided to the patient so that, if necessary,the survey, test questions, information, or tasks to be completed orperformed by the patient can be tailored to meet the specific needs ofthat patient and can be changed as the patient changes. Also, thecollection, processing, analyzing, tabulating and distribution of theactual (raw) results of the survey or test or the calculation,processing and distribution the information determined based on theresults of the test/survey (the test score) can be stored, analyzed anddistributed as necessary in a streamlined, automated fashion withminimal burdens on the test administrator. In addition, the operatingparameters of the therapy device can be controlled and altered to meetthe specific needs of that patient as the patient's condition changes.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates pressure generating system 32 andinteractive system 34 as being provided in the same housing, a furtherembodiment of the present invention contemplates that these two systemare not provided in the same housing but share a common element thatrequires interactive system 34 to be used in conjunction with thepressure generating system 32. For example, display 48 and/or inputdevice 50 can be provided on a remote device, such as a hand-held LCDdevice, that communicates either wirelessly or via hard wire with thecontrol unit in the interactive pressure support system 30 contained inthe housing. Furthermore, other components of the interactive system,such as communication unit 52 and memory 54, can be provided in a unitexternal to housing 46.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication network 60 thatincludes interactive pressure support system 30 of the presentinvention. In the illustrated network, a number of interactive pressuresupport systems 30 communicate via communication links 62 and 64 andcommunication system 66 to one or more remote locations 68.Communications links 62 and 64 can be hard wired or wireless so long asinformation is transmitted to and/or received from the interactivepressure support system 30 and/or remote locations. It is to beunderstood that the present invention contemplates that amplifiers,converters and adapters be provided where necessary to facilitate thetransmission of data over the communications links. Communication system66 is any communication network that transmits data from one location toanother. For example, communication system 66 can be a conventionaltelephone or computer network with the interactive pressure supportsystems 30 communicating with remote locations 68 via modems, asatellite based system, a fiber optic/optical system, a microwave systemor any combination thereof. It should be noted that appropriate securitymeasures, such as secure links, password protection, data encryption,and other access security steps, as well as data integrity steps can beimplemented in the communication network.

Remote locations 68 are any device capable of communicating with theinteractive pressure support system 30. Typically, a remote location isa computer located at the care giver and/or test administrator. In anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user at the remotelocation downloads data from the interactive pressure support system 30and/or base stations in communication system 66 that collect data fromthe interactive pressure support systems so that this information can beused to monitor the condition of the patient. It is to be understood,however, that the user at the interactive pressure support device canmanually cause this data to be downloaded or the information can bedownloaded automatically, such as at a set time each day, either due toprogramming in the interactive pressure support device or through anautomatic query function in at a remote location. In addition, the datacan be automatically downloaded by the interactive pressure supportdevice if the results of the patient test are outside predeterminedthresholds.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment for the processcarried out by the interactive pressure support system. The processbegins in step 70 and can be initiated from a variety of sources. Forexample, the patient using interactive pressure support system 30 canmanually request that a test be administered, the interactive pressuresupport system 30 can be programmed to administer a test periodically,or the user at the remote location can initiate the test as needed orperiodically. Once initiated, the test is administered to the patient instep 72 using interactive system 34 as discussed above. In an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the Epworth and/or Vigilance testsdiscussed above are administered to determine the patient's sleeppropensity. During the testing process of step 72, the patient receivesa question or other indica and provides a response thereto.

The results of the question and/or the response to the indica, such asreaction time and recognition accuracy, are collected in step 74. Thepresent invention also contemplates storing data indicative of the time,either absolute or relative to a reference, when the test was taken.Steps 72 and 74 are repeated as necessary until the test is completed.The results of the test input by the patient using the input device aretabulated and, where appropriate, a test score is determined in step 76.Depending on the desired operation of the interactive system, the testscore, the results of the test, and/or other data, such as the time thetest was taken or information about the test, are stored in control unit42 and/or memory 54 in step 78 for later retrieval and/or transmissionto a remote location in step 80; or steps 78 and 80 are performedimmediately upon completion of the test with the test results being sentimmediately to a remote location, such as remote locations 68 or aprocessing system in communication system 66. The testing procedureterminates in step 82.

Information about the time the test was taken is useful because it helpschart the progress of the therapy, especially when compared with theresults of the test for a series of tests. Information about the testitself may include data identifying the test administered, if, forexample, different types or levels of tests are to be presented. Forexample, during the treatment of a disorder, the patient may be given asequence of tests over a period time that may or may not increase indifficulty. The data output by the present invention should includeinformation indicating which test in the sequence of tests wasadministered to the patient.

A further embodiment of the present invention contemplates that thecontrol unit controls the operation of the pressure generating systembased at least in part on the response to the survey or test. Morespecifically, the control unit can cause the pressure delivered to thepatient to change (increase or decrease) and can control the amount ofany such change by controlling the pressure generator, the pressurecontrol, or both based on the responses to the survey. For example, ifthe responses to the survey indicates that an OSA patient is stillsuffering from the symptoms of OSA even though they are receiving apressure support treatment at a first pressure level, the control unitcan be programmed to automatically increase the pressure level. Ofcourse, the rate and/or amount of any such increase is preferablymonitored so that the pressure delivered to the patient is maintainedwithin a range of prescription pressures.

The change in pressure or the rate by which the pressure changes underthe control of the controller can be based on the result of one surveyor based on the result of multiple surveys. In addition, the presentinvention contemplates that the controller adjust operatingcharacteristics of the pressure generating system other than a directadjustment to the pressure delivered to the patient. For example, anautotitration pressure support system typically includes thresholds thata monitored parameter must meet before the pressure is changed. Thepresent invention contemplates that these thresholds can be adjustedbased on the results of the survey. For example, an autotitration systemthat adjusts the pressure delivered to the patient based on whether ornot the patient is snoring, may be made more sensitive or less sensitiveto detecting snoring, based on the results of the survey.

The present invention contemplates that any conventional feedbackcontrol system can be used to control the operation of the pressuregenerating system based on the results of the survey. Examples of suchsystems includes a processor executing a preprogrammed algorithm, afuzzy logic system, and a neural network.

In the description given above, control of the operation of the pressuresupport system is adjusted by the control unit in the pressure supportsystem based on the results of the survey. It is to be understood,however, that the responses to the survey, i.e., the raw data, or ananalyzed result of the survey, i.e., the score, can be provided to aremote location. The remote location provides a command to the pressuresupport system to control the operation of the pressure generatingsystem which is based, at least in part, on the response or theinformation associated with the response.

A still further embodiment of the present invention contemplates thatthe interactive pressure support system collects other information, notrelated to the test or survey provided via the interactive system. Forexample, information regarding medications, diets, exercise programs,weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, glucose levels, etc.can be input into interactive pressure support system 30 via interactivesystem 32. This data can be provided to system 30 in any conventionalmanner, such as through a keypad or data terminal. This information canbe stored in memory, processed, provided to a remote location using anyconventional communication technique (disc, smart card, hard-wire link,wireless link, etc.) or any combination thereof. The present inventionfurther contemplates that this “other information” can also be used tocontrol the pressure support system.

It can thus be appreciated that the present invention provides a systemthat performs two functions: (1) it provides a treatment to the patientto correct a disorder suffered by the patient, such as a pressuresupport device to treat OSA, and (2) it provides an interactive functionso that the caregiver can periodically monitor the effectiveness of thetreatment by having the patient complete a test intended to measure thepatient's condition using the same device used to treat the patient.Thus, the present invention minimizes the burden on the patient,caregiver and test administrators, increases the utility of conventionaltreatment devices, and improves the follow-up of patient treatment whilereducing the cost of same.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. An interactive pressure support system, comprising: (a) a pressuregenerating system adapted to provide a pressure therapy to a pulmonarysystem of a patient; (b) an interactive system associated with thepressure generating system, the interactive system comprising: (1) anoutput device programmed to provide a survey to a patient pertaining tosuch a patient's medical condition, and (2) an input device adapted toreceive a response to the survey from such a patient; and (c) a controlunit programmed with the survey, wherein the control unit controls (1)operation of the output device to present the survey, and (2) collectionof the response to the survey via the input device, and wherein thecontrol unit controls operation of the pressure generating system basedat least in part on the response to the survey.
 2. An interactivepressure support system according to claim 1, wherein the surveycomprises a test that measures an effectiveness of the pressure therapy.3. An interactive pressure support system according to claim 2, whereinthe test is a series of questions that gage a patient's propensity fordaytime sleepiness, reaction time, or cognitive alertness.
 4. Aninteractive pressure support system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a memory adapted to store other information not related tothe survey provided by the patient via the input device.
 5. Aninteractive pressure support system according to claim 4, wherein thecontrol unit controls the pressure generating system based at least inpart on the other information.
 6. An interactive pressure support systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the control unit analyzes the response tothe survey and determines a result based on the analysis, the resultbeing a measure of a characteristic of a patient intended to be impactedby the pressure therapy, and wherein the control unit controls thepressure generating system based at least in part on the result.
 7. Aninteractive pressure support system according to claim 6, wherein theinteractive system further comprises a communication unit adapted tocommunicate the survey, the response to the survey, the result, or anycombination thereof with a remote location.
 8. An interactive pressuresupport system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure generatingsystem includes: a pressure generator that receives gas from at leastone gas source and provides the gas to a patient at an elevatedpressure; a breathing circuit having a first end operatively coupled tothe pressure generator; and a patient interface device operativelycoupled to a second end of the breathing circuit.
 9. An interactivepressure support system according to claim 1, wherein the pressuregenerating system and the interactive system are associated with oneanother by being operatively coupled to a common housing.
 10. Aninteractive pressure support system according to claim 1, wherein theinteractive system also collects other information associated with thesurvey, the response to the survey, or both.
 11. An interactive pressuresupport system according to claim 10, wherein the other informationincludes at least one of (1) time information identifying at least oneof (a) a test administration time indicating a time when the survey waspresented to a user and (b) a test completion time indicating a timewhen the response to the survey was received from a user, and (2)identifying information identifying the survey provided to a user. 12.An interactive pressure support system, comprising: pressure generatingmeans for generating a pressure therapy adapted to be provided to apulmonary system of a patient; patient interacting means, associatedwith the pressure generating means, for providing a survey to a patientpertaining to such a patient's medical condition and for receiving aresponse to the survey from a patient; and controlling means forcontrolling operation of the pressure generating means based at least inpart on the response to the survey.
 13. An interactive pressure supportsystem according to claim 12, wherein the survey comprises a test thatmeasures an effectiveness of the pressure therapy.
 14. An interactivepressure support system according to claim 13, wherein the test is aseries of questions that gage a patient's propensity for daytimesleepiness, reaction time, or cognitive alertness.
 15. An interactivepressure support system according to claim 12, further comprising amemory adapted to store other information not related to the surveyprovided by the patient via the patient interacting means.
 16. Aninteractive pressure support system according to claim 15, wherein thecontrolling means controls the pressure generating means based at leastin part on the other information.
 17. An interactive pressure supportsystem according to claim 12, wherein a patient interacting meansanalyzes the response to the survey and determines a result based on theanalysis, the result being a measure of a characteristic of a patientintended to be impacted by the pressure therapy.
 18. An interactivepressure support system according to claim 17, wherein a patientinteracting means includes a communicating means for communicating atleast one of the survey, the response to the survey and the result witha remote location.
 19. An interactive pressure support system accordingto claim 12, wherein the pressure generating means and the patientinteracting means are associated with one another by being operativelycoupled to a common housing.
 20. A communication network comprising: (a)an interactive pressure support system, comprising: (1) a pressuregenerating system adapted to provide a pressure therapy to a pulmonarysystem of a patient, and (2) an interactive system associated with thepressure generating system, the interactive system comprising: (i) anoutput device programmed to provide a survey to a patient pertaining tosuch a patient's medical condition, (ii) an input device adapted toreceive a response to the survey from a patient, and (iii) a controlunit programmed with the survey, wherein the control unit controls (1)operation of the output device to present the survey and (2) collectionof the response to the survey via the input device; (b) at least oneremote location adapted to communicate with the at least one interactivepressure support system; and (c) a communication system adapted toreceive the response to the survey or information associated with theresponse to the survey and to provide a command to the interactivepressure support system to control the pressure generating system,wherein the command is generated based at least in part on the responseor the information associated with the response.
 21. The network ofclaim 20, wherein the control unit collects other information notrelated to the survey provided by the patient via the input device. 22.The network according to claim 21, wherein the control unit controls thepressure generating system based at least in part on the otherinformation.
 23. The network according to claim 21, wherein thecommunication system receives the other information and generates thecommand based at least in part on the other information.